Dog in the Boat while Muskie Fishing

[10,000 Casts]

I just bought an 8 week old Yellow Lab this morning. Come Muskie Season I would like to have her in the boat with me on shorter trips and who knows maybe the longer trips too. One thing that I know is going to be a problem is that all Muskie baits look like big chew toys and casting those chew toys will seem like a fun game of fetch.

What can I do to

A. Prevent her from chewing on my lures?

B. Prevent her from biting the lure while I am trying to cast it?

C. Prevent her from chasing the lure?

I can't remember where I saw it but a guy suggested wrapping a hunk of wood with barbed wire and casting it. Is that humane? will it hurt the dog? What else can I try and can you guys offer some tips for me?

Thanks, I appreciate it,

John

[BoxMN]

One of my dogs used to chase bobbers. Basically, I had to keeep smacking her in head and telling her "no" until she stopped. Seems harsh, but only thing worked, It only took a weekend, and now she is "cured".

As for something with many hooks, my guess is it will only take one time of her actually catching it until she gets "cured". Mine used to want to bite spinnerbaits, but now she is good, after having plenty of close calls and smacks in the noggin.

A smack is better than a hook, we have had those as well. Have fun fishing with the pooch! They are fun when you say "fish on" and they get all excited for you to land them!

[nater]

I would suggest trying a method I used with my puppy. Put the lure on the ground, kneel by it, and if they move toward it wave your hand in from of it blocking them from getting it. Eventually they will get frustrated (probably bark at you), then reward them. Repeat until they back away without you blocking them. It might take a little while at first but they will learn fast.

Next drop the lure while standing and if they move toward it put your foot in their way, when they back away reward them. This way they are getting rewarded for not going after them. Hopefully this works for you.

[MSRiverdog]

I've had one GSD that nothing mattered with, lures, casting, he didn't care, Bring on the fish and it was all over. He really was fastinated with fish, espesially in the boat. The 40" Muskie on the big pond comes to mind, I got the fish to the boat and he was going nuts. Now what?. I shook the rod tip and the bucktail fell out of his mouth, Duffy just looked at me with that "How come you did that?" look. All I could think of was there's no way that fish can be in this boat with that dog.

[MJBo]

Maybe redhot or something. Barbed wire sounds like a really bad idea to me.....

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Great organization in the boat is a necessity with a dog in the boat. Try to keep all baits out of reach and put away.

Might be a good idea to start with the pup leashed to the seat pole in the back until she learns where she can and cant go.

[Bassboy1645]

great topic...I always wanted to take my dog but hes never been in a boat. Hes always excited in the truck but after a while he calms down. He loves the water though and im afriad hes gonna jump from the boat. Also he craps easy when too excited and I dont want dog turds on my boat floor. any ideas on this?? Im guessing I should just try it and see what happens??

[CommonSense Guy]

I think it's a bad idea all together. Muskie fishing can be dangerous enough. You don't want to hurt your dog.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

K here is my two cents, muskie fishing bad idea unless you are only going to be trolling, and keeping the baits picked up. There are just so many trebles. I brought my golden retriever, who is very well trained musky fishing once and it was just a hassle. Walleye and bass fishing is very feasible and rather fun.

Dan

[cjac]

I have two labs and will take them out in the boat with me while fishing walleyes and bass and the fun panfish stuff, but pretty much skip taking them out muskie fishing. If I'm chasing skis, it's usually a pretty full day or at least fairly "serious" time spent, not fun for a dog in rough or wet or warm/cold conditions. Sometimes for a couple hours in the evening on the lake 5 minutes away, but not the whole day outings.

Actually when I'm fishing 'eyes by myself dragging lindys or trolling cranks, I like the fact they hold down the front and cut down on the wind grabbing the bow.

Too many hooks, big tackle boxes, rods out of lockers, etc. First and foremost, I don't want a hook in a dog, but I also don't want a fish lost due to a dog sleeping on top of the net or something. It's a balance to be honest, if I'm going out for a day, I take them for a run prior to going. Fair enough to me.

If you do, a clean and organized boat is essential. That really applies to all the time out, come to think of it!

Funny story: Couple years ago my chocolate saw a racoon on shore late evening, well.....she went to investigate. After a 1/2 hour she was back in the boat, but it was dark and I was greeted with an "after hours" ticket at the launch. We have reviewed the duck hunting "release" commands since that!

Chris

[terrible_fisherman]

I bring my Water Spaniel out with me a lot. I have also taken her on week long fishing and camping trips where she is in the boat with me for 7-9 hours a day. At first she did not handle it well so I used a small lease to tie her to the front of my boat which kept her from moving to the back where I keep my tackle and spair fishing rods.

Once she was used to that and calmed down, I was able to just let her run around in the boat. She has been hooked once (not severly just in the side with a small treble) and she was bored one day and chewed the tips off of two graphite rods.

I have also had her dive in off of the side of the boat a few times (she likes water a lot).

You can bring your pup with but just plan on some unexpected things happening. I would definitely never bring mine out if I was going to be very serious about the fishing that day.

[mtreno]

here is my thought - leave the dog at home unless your just going on a boat ride.

two reasons why i feel this way - first - trolling walleyes once my lab was walking like she normally would to the rear of the boat. my buddie had just decided he would change crank baits. i look up just in time to see my happy labs tail wack the rear end of a triple hooked stick bait. the instant pain for the dog caused her to jump and then roll which inplanted another hook in her soft belly - the pain of that hook caused her to try and kick at the bait and she got the last hook in her paw about a inch from her pads. all this in about 2 seconds - she had two barbs in her tail - two in her belly - and one on her leg - holding all three body parts together cause there on one bait...... poor pup! and she had no idea what had happened. i ended up cutting all the hooks out and she was very happy to be free to say the least. the worst part was pushing the hooks thru the belly so i could cut them to fall out. proves that a well trained dog will let you do anything if your in charge. i never hope to see any other dog in such a hangup! took 1 second of not paying attention.

second reason why Molly stays home these days is i am out musky fishing by myself so i bring her with. she is interested in my bait but only enought to intently be watching it as i work it in (funky chicken spinner bait). after about an hour or so i get a good sized hot fish boatside and start working a fast figure 8 - not sure if molly saw the fish or just picked up on my excitement but...... yep yopu guessed it - SPLASH! no more hot musky and all i could do was stand there and laugh. stupid dog

she loves crappie fishing off the dock - i will give her one and she is so proud of her new friend - until she drops it in the lake and then wonders where it went.....

[Meat-Run]

I have to chime in on this one. Your dog might be boat savy but at any point accidents do happen and will happen. Do keep this in mind if you dog does get hooked or caught there first defence might be bite the first thing they see and it might be your hand or face. Dogs to crazy things in defense and thats there nature. So you might have the perfect dog every where else including the boat but is it worth hurting your dog?

Maybe if you run a clean tight ship with every hook put away you could do it but I wouldn't with my family bride and joy. Just my .02.

Good Luck.

mr

[10,000 Casts]

Thanks everyone for the good advice.

I agree that an orginized boat will be very important. Time will tell how she will handle the boat and I plan on taking her out for crappies as soon as we get some understanding between each other.

I bought the calmest laid back lab that I could find and her mother is a sweetheart. But we all know how labs can be and she won't be a stranger to the water.

I can see how the longer trips might be too much of a hassle. So as for now I am looking forward to the after work 7-10pm trips.

I am still wondering is the barbed wire thing is humane? Some red hot as suggested or Cyanne Pepper might do the trick.

Thanks,

John

Luke, you and Andy should plan a trip up to my place this Summer, My house is 15 min from Mantrap and 15 min from Leech. We can trade Beer for Weagles!

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Barbed wire is definitely not humane. Cayenne pepper works just fine.

Bring something good to chew on with you in the boat and you shouldnt have to worry about it.

A well trained dog can be the best boat partner there is.

One thing to keep in mind also, bring plenty of water and snacks, make frequent shore stops so your boat doesnt become a bathroom, and if its hot either leave them home or make sure you have some shade in the boat for them.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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Luke, you and Andy should plan a trip up to my place this Summer, My house is 15 min from Mantrap and 15 min from Leech. We can trade Beer for Weagles!

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That can be arranged...

[cjac]

Find a good woman to take care of the pooch(es) while you're out fishing, all is good! I have the best..........

Luke, I'm 5 minutes away from work and will offer the same deal, brews for Weagle tips 'n' tricks!

Chris

[Tim_Anderson]

Like people, every dog seems to have it's own personality. I am a fan of chocolate labs, and have always had mine in the boat with me at one time or another. One of my labs was really "laid back"...spent most of the time sleeping (your pup will probably sleep alot if he's not disturbed). Lifted it's head once in awhile. But, with that particular dog, it really helped to keep the boat organized. Once, I had a few extra rods laying around, and he decided to get up and move...lay down on one of the rods and broke it!

My other lab was very obnoxious. Couldn't sit still. Always watching and goofing around. Retrieving fool. Once, I walked by the dog with a handful of bucktails, and he came running up and grabbed a mouthful. Put one trebel completely through his upper lip. I scolded him, and then got out the bolt cutters and treated him like I would any musky. Thing was, he never ever did that again.

Neither case was the end of the world.

After a while, you'll get to know your new dogs personality, and what you can and can't get away with. Having a dog in the boat is good company, especially when you fish alone alot. Good luck with your new pup.

[DitchPickle13]

To comment on the barbed wire thing you were asking about, probably not a good idea. Not sanitary and overkill. If it's going to be a hunting dog, you're probably better off focusing on encouraging retrieves than extreme methods to keep it off your Jackpot. : ) Could be confusing, especially at a young age. Nails, with the heads exposed (not the points) would be a better bet on a retrieving bumper anyway - to discourage the chewing habit, when it comes to a retrieved item.

Just my $.02

[TECK]

One good thing about haveing a dog in the boat You have to keep your boat clean.

[MSRiverdog]

Quote:

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One good thing about haveing a dog in the boat You have to keep your boat clean.

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YEP! Waht he sad.